Eloping scores runaway G3 win at Randwick

Eloping quashed doubts about her ability to extend her brilliance, outpacing her Royal Randwick Stakes rival to give trainer Peter Morgan his first Sydney victory.

The filly had not won beyond 1000 metres and started a $17 chance but after taking up her customary role in front she kicked strongly to hold out Ygritte ($8.50) by three quarters of a length with Shaumari ($4.20) third.

The Group Three win over 1200m was also testament to her toughness.

Eloping - Photo by Steve Hart

Eloping was having her seventh start in a campaign that began in December.

“What a filly. She’s never had a day’s soreness, she just keeps eating up. We take her home and bring her back, she’s just a wonderful horse,” Morgan said.

“We had to pay a late entry for this because I didn’t think she’d be here.”

Morgan, who trains in partnership with Craig Widdison, made his name rejuvenating unsound horses but two-year-olds are an increasing part of his stable.

It was the trainer’s first Sydney winner from just a handful of attempts and he believes there may have been some divine intervention.

“I went to church yesterday, first time, and I thought the walls were going to fall down,” Morgan said.

“I went home to plug my phone in and my charger blew up. I thought `I’ve done the wrong thing’ but it looks like He’s rewarded me today.”

Morgan said Eloping would probably be spelled but didn’t rule out a trip to Brisbane for the winter carnival if she pleased him.

“Sometimes you give them a break and they don’t come back, so who knows?”